Agriculture
Agriculture is the
key to the overall development of the State economy. Agriculture is the
backbone of Bihar's economy 81% of workforce and generating nearly 42%
of the State Domestic Product. The percentage of population employed
in agriculture production system in Bihar is estimated to 81%, which s
much higher than the national average. Nearly 42 per cent of GDP of the
state (2004-05) has been from agriculture sector (including forestry
and fishing). The state has attained self sufficiency in food grains
production. Barring maize and pulses productivity of various farm
produce in Bihar is much below the national average. Though the area
under cultivation is shrinking, there is tremendous scope for income
generation, by improving productivity. Adverse climatic condition, like
draught and floods, do play a role in decreasing products. But these
adverse conditions can be overcome to some extent by irrigation, flood
control and drainage schemes. The agriculture production can only be
increased to some extent through enhanced cropping intensity, change in
cropping pattern, improvement in seeds of high yielding varieties,
cultivation practices and with the availability of better post harvest
technology etc. State Govt. is trying to re-orient agriculture through
diversification policy and other measures.
The gross and net sown
area in the State is estimated at 80.26 lakh ha and 56.38 lakh h,
respectively. The intensity of cropping is 1.42%. The principal crops
are paddy, wheat, pulses, maize, potato, sugarcane, oil seeds, tobacco
and jute. Rice, wheat and maize are the major crops. The average yields
of rice and wheat are 1.45 and 2.19 t/ha, respectively, as against the
production potential (experimental yields at research farm as well as
realized in frontline demonstration) of 4.5-5.0 t/ha. Similar, the
average of maize yields of the State is about2.38 t/ha as against its
yield potential of 5 t/ha. State is rich in soil and water resources,
its average yields of Rice, Wheat, Maize in the state are only about
32,44 and 40 percents of the potential yields, respectively.
Although,
Horticulture (Fruits, vegetables, spices, honey, medicinal and aromatic
plants) occupies 15 percent of land area but income generated from
horticulture is much higher. The state has a monopoly in production of
litchi and makhana and continues to grow various fruits, vegetables,
spices and floriculture is catching the imagination of people,
reflected in their growing interest, across the state, ion
diversification of horticulture.
Agriculture
productivity in Bihar was much better, compared to other states in
fifties which is now much below the national average. In last two
years, there has been an approachable growth, due to improved seeds,
technologies and inputs.
Agriculture is the
single largest private sector occupation in Bihar. The goal of the
agriculture production system should be to maximize income of land
owing and landless rural populace to improve their livelihoods. The
vulnerability to income and consumption shocks makes it imperative to
develop formal agriculture insurance mechanisms to cope with such
risks.
Fertilizers, the most
important component of new technology, play a very important role in
enhancing the agricultural production in the State. Since the
introduction of high yielding varieties, the consumption of chemical
fertilizers has been increasing steadily. Fertilizer consumption in
Bihar was a mere 22 kg NPK/ha, in TE 1982 which increased to 63 kg/ha.
In TE 1991 and reached a level of 82 kg/ha, in TE 1998. Fertilizer
consumption that increased in all the zones
during this period. Total consumption of chemical fertilizers in Bihar
was 731.6 thousand MT during 2004–05. The level of consumption has
increased to 1064.8 thousand MT during 2006-07. But there is
unbalanced use of N, P and K. While the ideal ratio would be 4:2:1, this
was 14.7:7:1 in 2004-05 but improved significantly to 6.8:3:1 in
2005-06.
Objectives: The
objective of the agriculture policy in the state is to increase
productivity of major crops so as to bring it close to national
average. Opening up of markets has necessitated increased production at
competitive prices. Adapting as well as popularizing proven Research
and Development efforts is also important.
Strategy: Two
strategies adopted for increasing agriculture production and
productivity are research and extension i.e. from labs to farms.
Delivery systems to make available quality seeds, pesticides and
extension system to farmers are also being strengthened.
| SWOT Analysis of Bihar Agriculture | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Weaknesses | Opportunities | Threats |
1.
The soils are light, alluvium - derived soils mostly khaddar (recent
alluvium) and hanger (Old alluvium). In many places the soils are deep,
loamy and high in organic matter content and hence very suitable for
intensive cultivation.
2. The state has high irrigation potential since water table is high. 3. Rice-Wheat cropping system is most predominant. The average rice yield in this region was found between 1,900–2,100 kg/ha and that of wheat between 2,740–2,770 kg/ha. However, according to the projections of Rice–Wheat Consortium, with good management it has a potential of giving more than twice the current yield. 4. The region has good climate. Predominantly there are three seasons—hot summer (April–June), hot and humid rainy season (July–October) and cool dry winter (November–March). The growing period ranges from 180–210 days in a year. Two crops are common but with irrigation, third crop can also be taken during summer. 5. The rainfall in the region is appreciable, ranging between 1,050–1,300 mm. 6. The region has a number of ICAR Research Institutes and their Regional Stations, Agricultural Universities, Centres of All India Coordinated Research Projects, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras to support the current and ensuing programmes 7. State has good potential for quality seed production of field crops, fruits and vegetables. 8. Working force is available at cheaper rate. |
1.
The average operational holding size is only 0.75 ha, which is further
fragmented to 3–4 parcels. This makes farm operations difficult and
economically unsustainable.
2. The population pressure in this region is exceedingly high. The population density is 880/km2 as against the national average of 324/km2. Due to high density of population and less resources, more number of people are dependent on agriculture and the percentage of population below the poverty line is 42.60% as against the national average of 26.10%. 3. Although there are Directorates of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, but their extension services in terms of creating awareness about new technologies, conducting field demonstrations, conducting training programmes and providing latest information to farmers are very poor. 4. The State does not have a clear-cut policy to encourage and promote use of quality seed of improved varieties in different crops, which is a major draw back of the state agriculture sector 5. Although about 70% of the villages are electrified, but electricity is not available for more than 10 hours a day. The farmers cannot depend on electric supply for irrigation and other agricultural operations and are dependent on diesel engines. |
1. By providing quality seed and planting material to farmers overall productivity can easily be increased 2–3 times.
2. The region receives good rainfall and the water table is high. By adopting proper water management practices the entire agricultural land can be converted into irrigated land, whereby maximum benefit can be derived from the quality seed of improved varieties 3. The area has good potential of growing good quality fruits and vegetables. The region has also high population density. By adopting scientific methods of production, making best use of agricultural labour force and by using proper Post-Harvest Technology at farm/village level, the production of horticultural crops can be increased many folds. 4. The region has good opportunity of seed processing activities in the production catchments for increased income and employment and to wipe out hunger and poverty. 5. With proper infrastructural support the region can emerge as a big supplier of agri-products and can supply its produce to big markets of nearby states. 6. Availability of high quality planting material will encourage the production of high value crops substantially. |
1.
Due to land tenancy laws, the operational holdings will be further
getting smaller which may reduce the scope for intensive agriculture.
2. At the interface of diminishing contribution of agriculture sector to the state GDP, there is a danger that the future allocations for agricultural development and more particularly for supply of quality seed material, may not get adequate priority in fund allocations 3. The region has good rainfall but also receives floods during monsoon. Unless proper attention is given to proper soil conservation, drainage and water management programmes, the water logging and soil erosion problems may take serious turn in future and it would be difficult to maintain soil fertility. 4. In absence of proper storage facilities, heavy losses is being incurred, may continue in future also. |
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